Amid the Iran-US-Israel conflict and rising regional tensions, the United Arab Emirates has warned residents against spreading rumors and misinformation on social media platforms.The authorities said they had detected a rise in the circulation of fake news, fabricated videos, and misleading images related to the ongoing military confrontation and other developments in the region.
Officials issue a warning
Humaid Saif Al Shamsi, the UAE Attorney General, warned against photographing, publishing, or circulating pictures and videos of accident sites or damage resulting from falling projectiles or debris.It was shared online in an attempt to create anxiety and confusion within society, affecting the country’s stability and casting doubt on the current situation. According to security sources and experts, many of these campaigns republish old footage of accidents and fires that occurred years ago in the Gulf countries, and present them as recent incidents in the Emirates.
In addition, manipulated videos created using artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are circulating with the aim of shaping public opinion and spreading hostile agendas.Al Shamsi stressed that state institutions concerned with public safety perform their duties with high efficiency to protect society and that daily life throughout the country continues as usual, with the necessary measures being taken to address any developments.
He also stressed that such incidents are dealt with by the relevant authorities with careful security and defensive measures, and that sharing videos or photos online could undermine the response efforts undertaken by the authorities. Therefore, sharing such fabricated content or spreading misleading information is a punishable crime. Al Shamsi stressed that the Public Prosecution will take strict legal measures against violators.
Strict legal penalties
According to legal experts, spreading rumors or unconfirmed information in the UAE is a criminal offense under the UAE Cybercrime and Rumors Law. Article 52 of the law stipulates a prison sentence of no less than one year and a fine of no less than 100,000 dirhams for anyone who uses the Internet to publish or re-publish false news, misleading reports, or malicious rumors that conflict with officially announced information. If publishing such information would arouse public opinion, spread panic, or harm public security or the national economy, the same article increases the penalty to imprisonment for at least two years and a fine of 200,000 dirhams.
Verification is a civil responsibility
Social media activist Ibrahim Al-Dhahli told Gulf News: “Relying on official sources and professional media institutions remains the safest way to understand events in times of crisis.”He added that disseminating information online is both an individual and societal responsibility, and inaccurate information can mislead others and contribute to increasing public anxiety. He pointed out that the rapid spread of news does not necessarily mean its credibility, and verifying the date, context, and original source of images and videos can help people avoid exposure to manipulation.
